US6443730B2 - Break-resistant composite endodontic instrument - Google Patents

Break-resistant composite endodontic instrument Download PDF

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Publication number
US6443730B2
US6443730B2 US09/870,263 US87026301A US6443730B2 US 6443730 B2 US6443730 B2 US 6443730B2 US 87026301 A US87026301 A US 87026301A US 6443730 B2 US6443730 B2 US 6443730B2
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United States
Prior art keywords
break
fibers
reamer
resistant
endodontic reamer
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Expired - Lifetime
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US09/870,263
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US20020006599A1 (en
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James A. Davidson
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Plastic Dental Corp
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James A. Davidson
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Assigned to PLASTIC ENDO, LLC reassignment PLASTIC ENDO, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: JAMES, DAVIDSON
Assigned to PLASTIC ENDO, LLC reassignment PLASTIC ENDO, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DAVIDSON, JAMES A.
Assigned to PLASTIC DENTAL CORPORATION reassignment PLASTIC DENTAL CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PLASTIC ENDO, LLC
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C5/00—Filling or capping teeth
    • A61C5/40—Implements for surgical treatment of the roots or nerves of the teeth; Nerve needles; Methods or instruments for medication of the roots
    • A61C5/42—Files for root canals; Handgrips or guiding means therefor

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to a multi-fiber composite for making an endodontic reamer (dental file) for use in reaming, cleaning, and other preparation techniques in dental root canal procedures. More particularly, the multi-filament composite provides for a predominantly twisted or other off-axis oriented fiber construction (as a composite) at least partially embedded in a polymer matrix that can effectively transfer twisting (torque) loads, improve flexibility, and be highly resistant to complete (gross) breakage within the tooth canal.
  • the tooth contains one or more circulatory and neural canal systems, terminating at each root.
  • This canal is narrow, tapered and curved to varying degrees.
  • the pulp tissue within the canal can become diseased.
  • the diseased tissue can be removed using endodontic files and reamers and the cleaned canal sealed.
  • These endodontic cleaning instruments are tapered and have surface features (helical recesses, etc.) designed to remove the diseased pulp and other tissue within the canal via reciprocating or rotating motion.
  • there are numerous patents that describe various flute, helix and other design features of root canal files and reamers including U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,735,689, 5,980,250, 4,299,571, 5,882,198, and 5,104,316 by McSpadden; U.S. Pat.
  • NiTi alloys can accommodate exceptional displacements with a relatively lower imposed stress, and thus exhibit longer fatigue lives ( Nickel - Titanium Instruments , Serene, et. al., 1995).
  • the effective elastic modulus of NiTi alloys is in the range of 4-8 msi, half that of most standard titanium alloys.
  • NiTi alloys can cyclicly soften during repeated load cycles, which quickly change its initial mechanical characteristics (Ritchie and McKelvey, “Fatigue Crack Propogation in Nitinol.,” JBMR, 47,301-308,1999). This aspect, in combination with typical file designs that generally have inherently sharp notches, results in a fatigue life governed primarily by fatigue crack propagation.
  • NiTi actually has a lower fatigue threshold than other titanium alloys.
  • the fatigue threshold for pure titanium (beta) is about 10 MPa-m 0 5 while that for NiTi is only about 2 MPa-m 0.5 .
  • Even 316 stainless steel has a fatigue threshold of about 6 MPa-m 0.5 (Ritchie and McKelvey, JBMR, 47, 1999).
  • Table 1 compares the number of revolutions to breakage, for a simulated canal root with a 90° bend, for stainless steel (K file) and NiTi (K file) files ( Nickel - Titanium Instruments , Serene, et. al., 1995).
  • the present invention is directed to an improved endodontic instrument incorporating any design feature, that can be tubular, and can have lubricating surface coatings.
  • the inventive instrument is comprised of a plurality of fibers having a flexible polymer matrix.
  • the polymer matrix can incorporate all fibers or only fibers near the outside diameter of the instrument.
  • the fibers can be present as a core or present throughout the instrument.
  • fiber-free polymer can comprise a portion of the surface and surface features.
  • the polymer can have abrasive particles embedded within, at the surface or both, in order to improve cutting efficiency and to reduce wear of the polymer or polymer-fiber surface region.
  • the basic concept is similar to twisting a rope (the fiber) and freezing it in place (via the polymer matrix).
  • the rope can be twisted and pushed but it can't “break.”
  • the inventive twisted fiber endodontic instrument is unique and distinguishable from that described in the prior art.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a group of longitudinally oriented fibers
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the fibers twisted and set in place within the matrix polymer after the molding;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of how additional polymer can be secondarily molded to a pre-twisted fiber core
  • FIG. 4 is a plan side view of an illustrative example of an endodonitc instrument.
  • the subject invention is directed to a fiber-polymer composite endodontic instrument that is at least 30 percent partially pre-twisted fiber but can also include the use of a longitudinal fiber core.
  • Twisted fiber provides the most flexibility and is able to better accommodate applied torque, however a certain amount of strength is sacrificed.
  • the majority of the fibers are at least partially twisted so that the instrument has improved flexibility and can better respond to torque and axial compression loading imposed on the instrument during use
  • a twisted fiber construction can be considered to be similar to fibers oriented at +/ ⁇ 45 degrees. Table 2 shows this relationship for carbon fiber reinforced polysulfone in which a dramatic reduction in stiffness occurs without the presence of longitudinal fibers.
  • “Quasi” refers to a combination of longitudinal and +/ ⁇ 45 degree fibers.
  • the preferred embodiment uses longitudinal fibers 10 (FIG. 1) as the starting material that are molded with a polymer matrix to form a pre-twisted-fiber core 12 (FIG. 2 ). Additional polymer 14 can be secondarily molded to the pre-twisted core 12 .
  • the pre-twisted core 12 can also contain abrasives 16 that can be embedded within the polymer or coated onto the outer surface 18 of the core 12 .
  • These particles can be diamond, such as the diamond coating described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,958 by Martin and Norris, metal filings or other hard abrasive particles such as alumina, carbides, nitrides, borides, silica, and the like.
  • the hard particles can be incorporated into the polymer matrix, used as a coating in a final dip-coat or molding process, or a combination of any of the processes.
  • Helical recesses 20 can be machined or molded as desired.
  • the majority of the inventive endodonic instrument is composed of the twisted fiber core 12 with a minimal amount of additional polymer molded or otherwise added to the surface of the twisted fiber core 12 (FIG. 3 ).
  • the desired taper, recesses 20 and other design features can be molded or machined from this core 12 and polymer surface stock. Because of the increased flexability of the inventive file, straight longitudinal recesses can be used which will distort under the applied twisting load to form a helical shape during use.
  • the polymer-rich surface 14 can be impregnated with abrasives 16 , chopped fiber or both, or a molding or dip-coat process can be used to apply abrasive to the surface.
  • both the matrix core 12 and surface regions 14 can contain abrasive particulates. Because the twisted core 12 serves as a twisted “rope” type construction, it is essentially immune to gross breakage as is found in the current metal instruments. Any small fragments that may detach from the composite instrument can be easily removed by using another instrument or a flushing-type instrument.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an endodonic instrument 22 .
  • the entire instrument including the taper, helical recesses and other design features, is formed entirely of the pre-twisted fiber-polymer composite material 12 in either an as-molded or as-machined (or ground) condition.
  • the molding, grinding and machining processes used for various type composite materials are known by those skilled in the art and are included within the scope of the present invention.
  • Another embodiment can use the above described or similar opposing off-axis fiber orientation that results from a filament winding process.
  • a solid shaft could be made in this fashion, this method would be particularly suited for the formation of a hollow tube type instrument.
  • flexibility can be further increased as well as providing for the use of flushing and suction options for use in root canal procedures.
  • a tubular design will reduce the bending stiffness by 15 percent for a 0.006 inch wall and by 40 percent for a 0.003 inch wall, compared to a solid design of a given material.
  • any type of fiber material can be used in the inventive construct, including glass, carbon, kevlar, silk, polyester, organic fiber such as cotton, hemp and the like, ceramic, metal, and other polymer fibers.
  • the matrix can be comprised of any polymer, polymer alloy, or mixture, but it is preferred that polymers with relatively high melting temperatures be used so that the inventive device can tolerate steam autoclaving and potential frictional heating during use.
  • the polymer matrix will be resistant to damage from chemical sterilization methods as well.
  • thermo-plastics such as keystones, including polyetherkeytones and this keystone family of polymers
  • polymides including nylons and nylon-6
  • polyethersulfone selected liquid crystal polymers
  • polyesters including PET's and tough, high-temperature thermosets such as epoxy, methylmethacrylates, and phenolics.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Neurology (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
  • Dental Preparations (AREA)
US09/870,263 2000-06-01 2001-05-30 Break-resistant composite endodontic instrument Expired - Lifetime US6443730B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/870,263 US6443730B2 (en) 2000-06-01 2001-05-30 Break-resistant composite endodontic instrument

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US20861200P 2000-06-01 2000-06-01
US09/870,263 US6443730B2 (en) 2000-06-01 2001-05-30 Break-resistant composite endodontic instrument

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US20020006599A1 US20020006599A1 (en) 2002-01-17
US6443730B2 true US6443730B2 (en) 2002-09-03

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US09/870,263 Expired - Lifetime US6443730B2 (en) 2000-06-01 2001-05-30 Break-resistant composite endodontic instrument

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US6443730B2 (fr)
EP (1) EP1377230B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE421865T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2001275028A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60137586D1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2319865T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001091662A2 (fr)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030207231A1 (en) * 2000-06-07 2003-11-06 Nance Robert Scott Flexible endodontic syringe
US20050266375A1 (en) * 2001-08-16 2005-12-01 Brock G M Endodontic instrument having notched cutting surfaces
US20060151044A1 (en) * 2002-08-21 2006-07-13 Gurov Alexandr E Pipe, method and device for improved pipelines and similar objects
US20060265858A1 (en) * 2002-08-15 2006-11-30 Mcspadden John T Endodontic instrument having notched cutting surfaces
US20070054238A1 (en) * 2004-01-26 2007-03-08 Rephael Hof Self adjusting instrument
EP1779804A2 (fr) 2005-11-01 2007-05-02 Medic.Nrg Ltd. Dispositif endodontique et son procédé de fabrication
US20080213720A1 (en) * 2003-05-13 2008-09-04 Ultradent Products, Inc. Endodontic instruments manufactured using chemical milling
EP1977716A1 (fr) 2007-04-04 2008-10-08 Plastic Endo, LLC Extrémité endodontique ultrasonique disposant d'un faible module d'élasticité
US20080250974A1 (en) * 2007-04-12 2008-10-16 Pentron Clinical Technologies, Llc Fiber-Reinforced Composite Dental Materials and Method of Manufacture
US20090007431A1 (en) * 2004-07-09 2009-01-08 Ultradent Products, Inc. Method of manufacturing dental instruments from super-elastic alloys
US20100105004A1 (en) * 2007-02-20 2010-04-29 Haim Levy Endodontic file
KR101011695B1 (ko) * 2008-08-07 2011-01-28 임두만 신경치료용 엔도파일
US20110033822A1 (en) * 2009-08-04 2011-02-10 James Bahcall Endodontic File
US20110033821A1 (en) * 2009-08-05 2011-02-10 Rzhanov Evgueniy A Rotatable Endodontic Instruments and Methods for their Manufacture
US7967605B2 (en) 2004-03-16 2011-06-28 Guidance Endodontics, Llc Endodontic files and obturator devices and methods of manufacturing same
US20110212413A1 (en) * 2010-02-25 2011-09-01 Medic Nrg Ltd. Rotary endodontic file with frictional grip
US20130260334A1 (en) * 2010-09-21 2013-10-03 Neolix Endodontic instrument, the active portion of which has a slot forming a passage for a fluid.
US9585731B2 (en) 2011-11-24 2017-03-07 Medic Nrg Ltd. Endodontic file having an outer spiral cord
WO2020243281A1 (fr) * 2019-05-28 2020-12-03 Wildey William Instrument dentaire pour canal radiculaire
US20220202527A1 (en) * 2017-10-25 2022-06-30 William L. Wildey Root canal dental instrument

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102005034010A1 (de) * 2005-07-18 2007-01-25 Coltène/Whaledent GmbH + Co. KG Wurzelkanalinstrument mit abrasiver Beschichtung und Verfahren zur Herstellung desselben
US20070218420A1 (en) * 2006-03-16 2007-09-20 Philip John Syribeys Endodontic instrument with non-conductive coating and method for locating the apex of a tooth
US20120231413A1 (en) * 2011-03-11 2012-09-13 Mcspadden John T Endodontic instrument and method of manufacturing
US9226802B2 (en) * 2012-01-02 2016-01-05 Ryan J. McCafferty Polymeric instrument for cleaning canals in endodontic procedures
WO2014144123A1 (fr) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 Ultradent Products, Inc. Utilisation combinée d'ultrason avec une lime endodontique de nickel-titane dans une procédure endodontique
US10543060B2 (en) 2015-12-03 2020-01-28 Ormco Corporation Fluted endodontic file
USD842474S1 (en) 2017-10-20 2019-03-05 Ormco Corporation Endodontic file
WO2022208148A1 (fr) * 2021-03-29 2022-10-06 Lg Innovation S.R.L. Instrument endodontique comprenant un outil en plastique et métal

Citations (4)

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US5273559A (en) * 1991-08-30 1993-12-28 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Abrasive dental articles
US5273558A (en) * 1991-08-30 1993-12-28 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Abrasive composition and articles incorporating same
US6183253B1 (en) * 1996-09-17 2001-02-06 Gilles Billet Endodontic insert pre-impregnated with reinforcing fibres for filling the dental canal
US6267597B1 (en) * 1998-04-03 2001-07-31 Chang Yeal Kim Tooth restoration using fibre-reinforced composite material

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US5915970A (en) * 1993-09-27 1999-06-29 Tru-Flex Post Systems, Inc. Flexible post in a dental post and core system

Patent Citations (4)

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US5273559A (en) * 1991-08-30 1993-12-28 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Abrasive dental articles
US5273558A (en) * 1991-08-30 1993-12-28 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Abrasive composition and articles incorporating same
US6183253B1 (en) * 1996-09-17 2001-02-06 Gilles Billet Endodontic insert pre-impregnated with reinforcing fibres for filling the dental canal
US6267597B1 (en) * 1998-04-03 2001-07-31 Chang Yeal Kim Tooth restoration using fibre-reinforced composite material

Cited By (32)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030207231A1 (en) * 2000-06-07 2003-11-06 Nance Robert Scott Flexible endodontic syringe
US7223100B2 (en) 2001-08-16 2007-05-29 Brock G Matthew Endodontic instrument having notched cutting surfaces
US20050266375A1 (en) * 2001-08-16 2005-12-01 Brock G M Endodontic instrument having notched cutting surfaces
US20060265858A1 (en) * 2002-08-15 2006-11-30 Mcspadden John T Endodontic instrument having notched cutting surfaces
US20060151044A1 (en) * 2002-08-21 2006-07-13 Gurov Alexandr E Pipe, method and device for improved pipelines and similar objects
US20080213720A1 (en) * 2003-05-13 2008-09-04 Ultradent Products, Inc. Endodontic instruments manufactured using chemical milling
US7833017B2 (en) 2004-01-26 2010-11-16 Redent-Nova Ltd. Self adjusting instrument
US20090130638A1 (en) * 2004-01-26 2009-05-21 Redent-Nova Ltd. Self Adjusting Instrument
US20070054238A1 (en) * 2004-01-26 2007-03-08 Rephael Hof Self adjusting instrument
US7713059B2 (en) 2004-01-26 2010-05-11 Redent-Nova Ltd. Self adjusting instrument
US10052173B2 (en) 2004-03-16 2018-08-21 Guidance Endodontics, Llc Endodontic files and obturator devices and methods of manufacturing same
US7967605B2 (en) 2004-03-16 2011-06-28 Guidance Endodontics, Llc Endodontic files and obturator devices and methods of manufacturing same
US20090007431A1 (en) * 2004-07-09 2009-01-08 Ultradent Products, Inc. Method of manufacturing dental instruments from super-elastic alloys
EP1779804A3 (fr) * 2005-11-01 2007-07-04 Medic.Nrg Ltd. Dispositif endodontique et son procédé de fabrication
EP1779804A2 (fr) 2005-11-01 2007-05-02 Medic.Nrg Ltd. Dispositif endodontique et son procédé de fabrication
US20100105004A1 (en) * 2007-02-20 2010-04-29 Haim Levy Endodontic file
US8109763B2 (en) * 2007-02-20 2012-02-07 Medic.Nrg Ltd. Endodontic file
US20080248444A1 (en) * 2007-04-04 2008-10-09 Bahcall James K Ultrasonic endodontic tip having a low-modulus of elasticity
EP1977716A1 (fr) 2007-04-04 2008-10-08 Plastic Endo, LLC Extrémité endodontique ultrasonique disposant d'un faible module d'élasticité
US20080250974A1 (en) * 2007-04-12 2008-10-16 Pentron Clinical Technologies, Llc Fiber-Reinforced Composite Dental Materials and Method of Manufacture
US8298664B2 (en) 2007-04-12 2012-10-30 Pentron Clinical Technologies, Llc Fiber-reinforced composite dental materials and method of manufacture
KR101011695B1 (ko) * 2008-08-07 2011-01-28 임두만 신경치료용 엔도파일
US20110033822A1 (en) * 2009-08-04 2011-02-10 James Bahcall Endodontic File
US20110033821A1 (en) * 2009-08-05 2011-02-10 Rzhanov Evgueniy A Rotatable Endodontic Instruments and Methods for their Manufacture
US8568142B2 (en) * 2009-08-05 2013-10-29 Evgueniy A. Rzhanov Rotatable endodontic instruments and methods for their manufacture
US8647116B2 (en) * 2010-02-25 2014-02-11 Medic Nrg Ltd Rotary endodontic file with frictional grip
US20110212413A1 (en) * 2010-02-25 2011-09-01 Medic Nrg Ltd. Rotary endodontic file with frictional grip
US20130260334A1 (en) * 2010-09-21 2013-10-03 Neolix Endodontic instrument, the active portion of which has a slot forming a passage for a fluid.
US9474585B2 (en) * 2010-09-21 2016-10-25 Neolix Endodontic instrument, the active portion of which has a slot forming a passage for a fluid
US9585731B2 (en) 2011-11-24 2017-03-07 Medic Nrg Ltd. Endodontic file having an outer spiral cord
US20220202527A1 (en) * 2017-10-25 2022-06-30 William L. Wildey Root canal dental instrument
WO2020243281A1 (fr) * 2019-05-28 2020-12-03 Wildey William Instrument dentaire pour canal radiculaire

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1377230A2 (fr) 2004-01-07
EP1377230A4 (fr) 2005-03-23
WO2001091662A9 (fr) 2003-01-03
ES2319865T3 (es) 2009-05-14
AU2001275028A1 (en) 2001-12-11
ATE421865T1 (de) 2009-02-15
US20020006599A1 (en) 2002-01-17
EP1377230B1 (fr) 2009-01-28
WO2001091662A3 (fr) 2003-10-30
DE60137586D1 (de) 2009-03-19
WO2001091662A2 (fr) 2001-12-06

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